Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan of Antioch said that Western support for “moderate” Syrian rebel factions has caused the devastation of the country.

“I can tell you, we’ve been not only abandoned by the Western countries, but even we have been betrayed,” the Syrian prelate told the Southern Cross, the newspaper of the San Diego diocese. He charged that Western leaders have ignored the suffering of Christians, who are being driven from the country by the violence.

Patriarch Ignace dismissed the claim that the US and other countries are backing “moderate” Muslim forces in the Syrian conflict. No such forces exist, he said; “It’s a lie.”

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Pres Obama had an opportunity to stop ISIL before it became a massive threat but he and his National Security team elected not to do so with the Pres dismissing it as a "JV" - shameful and a disgrace he will always carry. Pres Bush deserve ample blame for this foreign policy and human catastrophe too. Pls pray for our bros/sis in ME. Esp Fr Paolo, Fr Yuhannes and The other Orthodox priest being held by ISIL in Raqqa. I know Fr Palo. God bless them and all suffering clergy.

Posted by: jackbene3651 -
Aug. 18, 2017 1:24 AM ET USA

George W. Bush had a large part to play in the destruction of Catholic communities in Iraq. Those Catholic intellectuals who supported the Iraq war ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Posted by: Archpriest -
Aug. 17, 2017 11:35 PM ET USA

Amen! Amen! Amen! Assad may be a strongman, but he kept the Christians of Syria safe. As an Eastern Catholic priest and as a retired military chaplain, let me plainly say that Americans jus d nt understand the tribal nature of Arab society. So-called "democracy" in Syria would mean subjugation to all minorities.
PS May I also point out that His Beatitude is the former Syrian Catholic Bishop for the United States and Canada and has American citizenship. He well knows both societies well.

Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Aug. 17, 2017 8:18 PM ET USA

Can it be made any more clear who the modern enemies of the Iraqi and Syrian people are? They are those who fostered the so-called "Arab spring." Those who facilitated the overthrow of the Libyan and Egyptian governments. Those who blame all sorts of atrocities on the Syrian government. Those same politicians who this week lie about the cause of the domestic terrorism that took place last Saturday. CatholicCulture has been posting the witness of the Middle Eastern Patriarchs for years.

Posted by: John Holecek -
Aug. 17, 2017 5:54 PM ET USA

We are so utterly brainwashed about what's going on in the Middle East.